LOCAL BODIES AND RECRUITING

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 37, 14 February 1916, Page 8

LOCAL BODIES AND RECRUITING

THE GRAVITY OP THE SITUATION

THE BOARD'S REPLY.

The Recruiting Board (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and the Hoii. J. Allen) has 'sent the following letter to the Masterton County Council:— :.

"We have received 'the letter written by your county clerk ori tho 9th instant, forwarding copy of a resolution passed by the Masterton County Council to the effect that it would be impossible for any of its members to assist in the •recruiting movement as set forth in the letter from the Recruiting Board, and that it is the duty of the Government to ensure the enrolment of sufficient reinforcements during the present European crisis by compulsion, should the voluntary system not prove successful. "We have also received advice of a similar resolution having been passed by the Waipa County Council. !'.-,' "It is with the greatest concern that the; Recruiting Board' learns that thereare in" the Dominion of New Zealand bodies of-public men who are apparently so unable to realise the gravity of the present position and to appreciate the terrible menace now threatening ns. in common with the rest of the Empire of which we foim a small but intensely loyal part, as to dismiss in 'this off-hand manner an appeal which ,W, the oatcome of the serious and considered judgment Of the Recruiting? Board, acting for and on behalf of the National Government.

"The Board :is bound to* express, to you its strong conviction that it is tho sacred duty of every loyal public man to come forward in this time of national stress and render the fullest service in his power to make this scheme, which ie the result of much anxious care and thought, a complete and lasting success. 'The Board, speaking with the complete knowledge '• of • all * the issues involved which it alone can possees, wishes to emphasise in the strongest--possible way; its opinion that.: no , suggestion of compulsion -.'should be considered!'until the. voluntary system of .enlistment has been thoroughly tested and proved to be inadequate.!to secure the flow!of men necessary to fulfil our • honourable. obligations in this world struggle for the maintenance of liberty and justice. The Board is now providing the ways and means by which the voluntary. system can be .thoroughly and exhaustively tested, and it feels that'it is entitled'to, and will undoubtedly receive, the active and sympathetic help and co-operation of every loyal and patriotic" public man and citizen, of this. Dominion,

"With respect to the latter part of your council's resolution, the Recruiting BoaVd would like to know how the voluntary system can possibly be successful if other public bodies arid other public mcii followed a lead ,so inirirical to success as. that set by the Masteirton and Waipa County Councils?"